Thursday, 16 June 2011

In April, Russian Goths arranged Night Walks in the Severnoye Cemetery, which to me sounds like a lovely idea and something somebody in the UK should certainly organise. Unfortunately, this charming event has resulted in disaster, with three Goths being arrested for grave desecration.

Severnoye Cemetery
Source: Google Images

I don't know about you guys, but I'm shocked by this - I know you get assholes everywhere, in every subset and counterculture and cross-section of society, but I just can't understand why members of a subculture who, on the whole, find cemeteries a beautiful, welcoming and peaceful would choose to damage about 40 - yes, 40 - gravestones, including those of soldiers.

A sarcastic well done to these three idiots, who have not only brought further shame and suspicion on Goth culture in a country where legislation to outlaw Goth music had already been considered, but have now put those of us who do enjoy spending quiet, peaceful time in cemeteries, doing harm to nothing and no one, also under suspicion.

I would like to point out to any non-Goths reading this that the majority of the members of Goth culture would be appalled at such behaviour, and ask them not to judge this majority by the actions of a stupid few.

Goth gossip: NIN frontman Trent Reznor raised $645,000 for treatment for an ill fan by selling exclusive VIP tickets to the band's last tour, including (for varying prices) backstage passes and dinner with the band. Go Trent! (This was back in 2009 FYI, old news!)

24
comments:

This is terrible! Last time I was at a cemetery (beautiful, love it!<3)there was some minor, but still terrible, graffiti and general desecration at a tomb and everybody made cracks about "creepy spooky people" doing "crazy cult Wicca stuff" in the cemetery. For real?! and don't get why anybody should damage gravestones-they are apart of history :( And you're right; when you're part of a subculture, you represent that subculture, not just yourself, so show some self respect, ya know?

My thoughts are parallel to your own in this post. (40 gravestones?!) I cannot tell you how many times I measure my tone, watch my tongue, turn the other cheek .. so that I don't give Goth a bad reputation. But with exasperation, I read about this. How shameful and disrespectful this is!

I know the caretakers of my local cemetery, and we get along fine. I might wave at them if they are mowing the grass or putting up flags or adding flowers: and they will wave back. At least I have that respect.

But this had to happen in Russia, where they are trying to ban Goth and Emo? Wow .. :-/

God, I would love to give those idiots a good knot in each of their heads! I love history and this subculture and anyone trying to disgrace either of those things deserves a good knot! Although it seems they already have quite a few knots to be able to defile someone's grave.

All well...At least there still are some good people out there, like Trent.

This is indeed a blow to our whole culture. Just another excuse for the mainstream to demonize us all. :( I think all of us bloggers are pretty united on the idea of breaking those negative stereotypes, but as you said there are bad people in ALL groups. Sadly, the bad is what makes the news because good just doesn't sell.

The rest of us will just have to work harder now. As Tenebris said (props to her for that!) it never hurts to mind your manners, curb your tongue, and hold yourself up to a higher standard. If you see an opportunity to do good, take it! I have faith that the good in our subculture will prevail.

It is actually shocking that there would be Goths responsible for desecrating graves in such a manner, considering the affinity Goths have for cemeteries and burial places in general.

You are right, it is an isolated incident of assholes that put a bad label on Goths. That's all the more reason to keep going to cemeteries and showing the world how much Goths respect these places, at least in my opinion.

I would do so, but when I am in cemeteries the only Goth thing I am doing is listening to spooky music on my headphones- my garb is usually running clothes, and just tends to look more preppy than anything else. No one is going to identify my respect with the Goth culture.

Blargh. Mayhaps I need to start hanging out in such places in neo-Victorian clothes...

Why would anyone do that I mean that is a (beautiful peacful historical) resting place for the dead. I can`t imagin how the families of the dead are feeling. I hope those few goth`s feel proud of themselves for that discrase!

We have such assholes here in Hungary too. They think themselves goth and they go posing NAKED in cemeteries (and post the pictures on fb and other sites!), paint inverted crosses on tombstones and such. I am horrified by both of the people and the impact they make on all of us. They ARE NOT GOTH, I would scream if anbody would listen. Her e in my country all this goth thing is not at all accepted (we are freaks at best) and these things, well publicized of course) worsen our positions. And "normal" goths could do anything this public opinion would not change, even if 90% of us consider ourselves the ambassador of true goth culture and act so.

This is awful! I can't believe anyone, Goth or otherwise, would even consider being so disrespectful. And over 40 graves! Picnics in cemeteries are one of my favourite things (though my not-Goth friends don't really like them much...). I hate to think that people can just be so awful.

As far as the gossip goes: I think more bands should follow Trent Reznor's lead - that's an awesome thing to do :)

@ Sara - they were arrested because they were destroying the graves, not because of the time of day. :-/

@ Eliza - I mentioned them because they were WWII graves so obvs had historical importance... but yes you could say that someone who died to protect their country deserves more respect. Nobody deserves to have their grave desecrated anyway.

The desecration of anyone's resting place is a disgusting act. Where has the respect gone? I'm shocked that any person (regardless of subcultural affiliation or not) would think that it is a "fun" or acceptable thing to do.As a goth and a human being with good morals, I always treat the remains and burial places of the dead with respect. Even when I took apart a skeleton (I was on museum work-experience) that was being packed up to move, I made sure I placed the bones carefully and gently into the bags instead of just dropping them in like the others with me. I showed as much respect and dignity as I could to the bones of the woman.It's ignorant fools like those arrested who give mature goths a bad name.

Hmmmm... I have to wonder if the fact that goth subculture is so demonized in Russia that they considered banning goth music (seriously?) attracts some particularly disturbed individuals who join the goth scene just because it is considered taboo. That is the only thing that really explains this to me.

^ That's a good point actually. And may very well explain what happened. It certainly wouldn't be the first case I've heard of sick people becoming 'goths' to use "the freaky satanic people in black" excuse to indulge in that kind of sick behaviour.

@ Sabayon - somewhere in the archives I did a post about the proposed ban, with news clip. :-/VERY good point, this is not the first I've heard of Goths in Russia behaving, frankly, like psychos... perhaps this is something to post about in future.

@ Russell - I will try and find some sources when I'm not *ahem* at work. However I did think, in my slightly-paranoid over-caffeinated brain, that such stories might be circulated by the Russian media to further their case against dark culture...?

Forget the fact that they're goths or whatever. YOU DO NOT DO THAT SHIT IN CEMETARIES. It's the resting place of the dead!! THAT is why I'm angry; it just makes it worse to know they're part of the subculture! UGH! And I hope no one hears about this over here...I hope to start visiting cemetaries soon! Found a nice spot and everything...

And about that old NIN news: YEAH TRENT!! WHOO~! I like him. He's a great musician.

Sabayon's got it - it's like the vampire killers we had here in the States. Either they call themselves goth and try to dress the part because they are sociopathic a*holes who want to get under people's skin, or the media labels them that way because that's the only thing the reporters can come up with to describe them.

Im lucky that in the many of the big ancient UK Cemetaries seem to welcome goths. The big London ones have open days where hundreds of alternative types spend the day there, have picnics in the park areas, walk around the amazing architecture of victorian funeral decor and enjoy the day.

What also makes me laugh are 'goths' who think its so inflamatory to draw inverted crosses everywhere. Do they not realise that that is one of the most powerful symbols of the Catholic church - Its the St Peter's cross and its seen on top of the Pope's thrown at the vatican! Dumb Asses.

This is sickening news. It makes me sad to hear all these news stories about 'goths' desecrating graves and churches whether through destruction or sex. It's messed up and disrespectful. I don't care what their religious beliefs are, they should still show respect and tolerance for other people's beliefs and traditions. Above all you just don't dick with the resting places of the dead. I think most people in general would be angry towards that kind of behaviour.

It would be interesting to read some articles about this if you find and post them Amy (maybe you already have and I haven't seen them yet). What could their motivation have been? Was it simply to shock? Were they just destructive arseholes who follow a similar to the chav mentality of pissing in their own backyard? Was it politically or religiously motivated (targeting the graves of solidiers does make me wonder)?

has anyone ever thought that maybe these aren't "real" Goths and that they may be trying to give the rest of us a bad name? Just a thought, they may not even be Goth at all just like those columbine kids weren't either.

About Me

Amy Asphodel

My best friends say I'm girly which makes no sense because I don't even brush my hair. I had my first kiss in a glade of bluebells. My favourite perfume is vanilla which makes sense because old books smell of vanillin. I will hug anything that stays still long enough and firmly believe that life's too short for boring clothes. I really like to dance. I love stories, fluffy jumpers, bonfires, stars and tea. I know all the best people and am lucky to call them my friends and family. I seem to own a ridiculous amount of socks. I believe that normality is overrated and tattoos are art. I wear too much scent and play music too loud. I don't believe in perfection. I would probably be an evil genius if I could just stop putting my handbag in the fridge. I own bloomers and a top hat (or four). I'm not sure I believe in karma but I do like to be on the safe side. I may seem quiet when you first meet me but that's just how I lure my victims.